JP2017068035A - Developing device and cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To suppress a developer from becoming coarse and prevent, even when a fine developer is used, the developer from leaking from a developing device or a cartridge to the outside.SOLUTION: A developing device used in an image forming apparatus according to the present invention comprises: a storage container that stores a developer, the storage container including a through hole; a stirring member that is stored in the storage container for stirring the developer; a stirring member supporting target part that is provided at an end of the stirring member for supporting the stirring member; a stirring supporting member that supports the stirring member supporting target part and is inserted into the through hole; an elastic sealing member that seals the developer arranged in the through hole; and an end member that is arranged on the storage container. The elastic sealing member is arranged between the stirring supporting member and the end member.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a developing device and a cartridge used in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus (hereinafter, image forming apparatus).

  Here, the cartridge refers to a cartridge that has at least one of a developer, a photosensitive drum as an image carrier, and a process unit, and is detachable from an image forming apparatus main body (hereinafter, apparatus main body). A typical example of the cartridge is a process cartridge. The process cartridge is a cartridge in which an image carrier and process means acting on the image carrier are formed, and is detachably mounted on the apparatus main body.

  The image forming apparatus forms an image on a recording medium using an electrophotographic image forming system. Examples of the image forming apparatus include an electrophotographic copying machine, an electrophotographic printer (such as an LED printer and a laser beam printer), a facsimile machine, and a word processor.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus, a cartridge system in which a cartridge is attached to and detached from the apparatus main body by a user is employed. According to this cartridge system, maintenance of the image forming apparatus can be performed by the user himself / herself without depending on the service person, so that the operability can be remarkably improved. Therefore, this cartridge system is widely used in image forming apparatuses.

  In this cartridge, a configuration is known in which a developer is agitated by rotating a stirring member in a storage container for storing the developer, and the developer is conveyed from the developer container. Generally, the stirring member has support portions at both ends, one end of which is connected to a drive source for rotationally driving the stirring member, and the other is rotatably supported by a support portion provided on the inner wall of the storage container. Is done. Here, when the developer enters between the support portion of the storage container and the supported portion of the stirring member, the developer becomes coarse due to frictional heat generated by sliding between the support portion and the supported portion, resulting in an image. There was a possibility of causing adverse effects such as generation of white stripes.

  In order to solve this problem, the developer support is made of a metal material (for example, a metal pin) with respect to the support portion of the storage container formed of resin, thereby causing coarsening of the developer. The thing which suppressed this is known (patent document 1).

  In addition, a configuration is known in which a metal support pin is press-fitted into the storage container from the outside or the inside to provide a support portion that supports the stirring member in the storage container (Patent Document 2).

JP 2000-221762 A JP 2006-113196 A

  However, it has been studied to refine the developer for improving the image quality these days. As a result, further measures have been required to prevent developer leakage from the support portion that supports the stirring member. The present invention is a further development of the above-described prior art, and an object of the present invention is to prevent the developer from leaking from the support portion that supports the stirring support member.

  A developing device used in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention is a storage container that stores a developer, a storage container having a through hole, a stirring member that is stored in the storage container and stirs the developer, An agitating member supported portion for supporting the agitating member provided at the end of the agitating member, an agitating support member that supports the agitating member supported portion and is inserted into the through hole, and a developer disposed in the through hole And an end member disposed in the storage container. The elastic sealing member is arranged between the stirring support member and the end member.

  A cartridge that can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus according to the present invention is a storage container that stores a developer, the storage container having a through hole, and the developer that is provided in the development container and supplies the developer to the image carrier. A carrier, a stirring member for stirring the developer supplied to the developer carrier, and a stirring member supported portion for supporting the stirring member provided at an end of the stirring member; A stirring support member that supports the stirring member supported portion and is inserted into the through hole, an elastic sealing member that seals the developer disposed in the through hole, and an end member that is disposed in the storage container. Have. The elastic sealing member is arranged between the stirring support member and the end member.

  According to the present invention, the occurrence of coarsening of the developer is suppressed, and even when a finer developer is used, the developer is prevented from leaking out from the developing device or cartridge. Can do.

It is sectional explanatory drawing which showed the stirring support part periphery which concerns on Example 1 of this invention. 1 is an explanatory cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an explanatory cross-sectional view of a cartridge according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an explanatory perspective view illustrating a state where the cartridge according to the first embodiment of the present invention is disassembled. It is a section perspective explanatory view of a storage container concerning Example 1 of the present invention. It is sectional explanatory drawing which showed the stirring support part periphery which concerns on Example 2 of this invention. It is sectional explanatory drawing which showed the stirring support part periphery which concerns on Example 3 of this invention.

  A cartridge and an image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Hereinafter, as an image forming apparatus, a laser beam printer main body A to which a detachable cartridge B is attached will be described as an example. In the following description, the longitudinal direction of the cartridge refers to the rotation axis L1 of the photosensitive drum 62 (image carrier) serving as a rotor that carries the developer and the rotation axis L5 of the developing roller 34 (developer carrier). It is a substantially parallel direction. The longitudinal direction of the cartridge B is a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction in which the cartridge B is attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body, and is a direction that intersects the conveyance direction of the recording medium. In the longitudinal direction of the cartridge, the side on which the photosensitive drum 62 receives the rotational force from the main body of the image forming apparatus is the driving side, and the opposite side is the non-driving side. On the other hand, the short direction of the cartridge B is a direction substantially orthogonal to the rotation axis L1 of the photosensitive drum 62 and the rotation axis L5 of the developing roller 34, that is, the longitudinal direction.

  Moreover, the code | symbol in an explanatory note is for referring drawings, and does not limit a structure.

(1) Overall Description of Image Forming Apparatus The overall configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is an explanatory side sectional view of the image forming apparatus.

  The image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 2 forms an image with a developer on a recording medium P by an electrophotographic image forming process in accordance with image information communicated from an external device such as a personal computer. Examples of the recording medium P include recording paper, label paper, an OHP sheet, and cloth. Further, the image forming apparatus is provided with a cartridge that can be attached to and detached from the image forming main body by a user. That is, in the apparatus main body, the apparatus main body A is a portion obtained by removing the cartridge B from the image forming apparatus.

  A drive output unit (not shown), an optical unit 3, a developing unit, a fixing device 9 and the like are included. Based on the print start signal, the drive output unit rotationally drives the photosensitive drum 62, which is a rotating body, in the direction of arrow R with a predetermined peripheral speed (process speed). The surface of the photosensitive drum 62 is uniformly charged by the charging roller 66 when a voltage is applied from the apparatus main body A. Then, the laser beam L corresponding to the image information is irradiated from the optical unit 3 to the charged photosensitive drum 62, and an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image information is formed on the photosensitive drum 62. This electrostatic latent image is developed with the developer t by the developing means, and a developer image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 62.

  Along the conveyance direction D of the recording medium P, a pickup roller 5a, a feed roller pair 5b, a conveyance roller pair 5c, a registration roller pair 5d, a transfer guide 6, a transfer roller 7, a conveyance guide 8, a fixing device 9, and a discharge roller pair 10, the discharge tray 11 and the like are sequentially arranged in the apparatus main body A. Further, the fixing device 9 includes a heating roller 9a and a pressure roller 9b with a built-in heater 9c.

  The recording medium P accommodated in the paper feed tray 4 is separated and fed one by one by a paper feed roller 5a and a separation pad 5e in pressure contact therewith in synchronism with the formation of the developer image. The recording medium P is fed by a pair of feed rollers 5b, a pair of transport rollers 5c, and a pair of registration rollers 5d, and is transferred between the photosensitive drum 62 and the transfer roller 7 via the transfer guide 6. It is supplied to the nip portion 7a. The transfer roller 7 for forming the transfer nip 7 a is urged so as to contact the surface of the photosensitive drum 62.

  In the transfer nip 7 a, a voltage having a polarity opposite to that of the developer image is applied to the transfer roller 7, whereby the developer image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 62 is transferred to the recording medium P and the transfer roller 7. And the transfer position.

  The recording medium P to which the developer image has been transferred is separated from the photosensitive drum 62 and conveyed to the fixing device 9 along the conveyance guide 8. When the recording medium P passes through the nip portion 9d between the heating roller 9a and the pressure roller 9b, heat and pressure are applied, and the developer image transferred to the recording medium P is fixed to the recording medium P. The As a result, an image is formed on the recording medium P.

  Thereafter, the recording medium P is conveyed to the discharge roller pair 10 and discharged to the discharge tray 11 so that the image forming apparatus is configured to be able to form an image.

(2) General Description of Cartridge B Next, the cartridge B according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG. 3 is an explanatory side sectional view of the cartridge B. FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective explanatory view showing a state where the cartridge B is disassembled.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the cartridge B includes a developing unit 20 (developing device) and a cleaning unit 60. The developing unit 20 includes a developing roller 32 and a developing blade 42 as developing means, a storage container 21, a lid 22, a developing container 23, a stirring member 43, a developer t, and the like. In addition, the cleaning unit 60 includes a photosensitive drum 62, a cleaning blade 77, a charging roller 66, and the like on a cleaning frame 71.

  The developer t stored in the storage container 21 is sent out from the opening 21 a of the storage container 21 into the developing chamber 23 a of the development container 23 by the developer transport member 43 rotatably supported by the storage container 21. The developing container 23 is provided with a developing roller 32 incorporating a magnet roller 34. The developing roller 32 draws the developer t in the developing chamber 23 a toward the surface of the developing roller 32 by the magnetic force of the magnet roller 34. The developing blade 42 includes a support member 42a made of a sheet metal and an elastic member 42b made of an elastic body such as urethane rubber, and the elastic member 42b elastically contacts the developing roller 32 with a constant contact pressure. Is provided. Then, when the developing roller 32 rotates in the rotation direction X5, the amount of the developer t adhering to the surface of the developing roller 32 is defined, and a triboelectric charge is applied to the developer t. As a result, a developer layer is formed on the surface of the developing roller 32. Then, the developer t is supplied to the developing region of the photosensitive drum 62 by rotating the developing roller 32 to which a voltage is applied from the apparatus main body A in the rotation direction X5.

  On the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 62, a charging roller 66 is provided in contact with the cleaning frame 71 while being rotatably supported and urged. The charging roller 66 uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 62 by voltage application from the apparatus main body A. Then, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 62 by the laser light L of the optical means 3. In the development area, the developer t is transferred in accordance with the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 62 to visualize the electrostatic latent image, and a developer image is formed on the photosensitive drum 62.

  The cleaning blade 77 is provided in elastic contact with the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 62, and scrapes off the developer t remaining on the photosensitive drum 62 after transferring the developer image to the recording medium P. The developer t thus scraped off is stored in the removed developer storage portion 71a of the cleaning frame 71 to which the cleaning blade 77 is fixed.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the cartridge B is configured by combining the cleaning unit 60 and the developing unit 20, and is coupled to each other by coupling members 75a and 75b so as to be rotatable. Specifically, an arm portion 23aL and an arm portion 23aR are formed at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the developing container 23 (rotational axis direction L5 of the developing roller 32). Then, rotation holes 23bL and 23bR extending in parallel with the rotation axis L5 of the developing roller 32 are provided at the ends of the arm portions 23aL and 23aR, respectively. Further, fitting holes 71bL and fitting holes 71bR extending in parallel with the rotation axis L0 of the photosensitive drum 62 for fitting the coupling members 75a and 75b are formed at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the cleaning frame 71, respectively. ing. The developing unit 20 is aligned with a predetermined position of the cleaning frame 71, and the developing unit 20 is adjusted so that the rotation hole 23bL matches the fitting hole 71bL and the rotation hole 23bR matches the fitting hole 71bR. Align with the predetermined position of the cleaning frame 71. Then, the coupling member 75a is inserted into the rotation hole 23bL and the fitting hole 71bL, and the coupling member 75b is inserted into the rotation hole 23bR and the fitting hole 71bR. Accordingly, the cleaning unit 60 and the developing unit 20 are coupled so as to be rotatable around the coupling member 75a and the coupling member 75b.

  At this time, the urging member 46L and the urging member 46R attached to the base of the arm portion 23aL and the arm portion 23aR come into contact with the cleaning frame 71, and the developing unit 20 is moved to the cleaning unit 60 with the coupling members 75a and 75b as rotation centers. Energized. As a result, the developing roller 32 is reliably pressed toward the photosensitive drum 62.

  The developing roller 32 is positioned at a predetermined interval from the drum 62 by the interval holding member 17L and the interval holding member 17R attached to both ends of the developing roller 32.

(3) Description of Developer Sealing Configuration Between Storage Container and Agitation Member Next, the developer sealing configuration according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 5. FIG. 5 is an SS cross-sectional view taken along the center of the stirring member 43 of FIG.

  FIG. 1 is a partially enlarged sectional view showing the periphery of the through hole 21a of the storage container 21 of FIG. FIGS. 1A to 1D show the assembly of parts in chronological order.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, a stirring member supported portion 43 a is provided on the end surface of the stirring member 43 on the longitudinal non-driving side. Here, the stirring member supported portion 43a is provided so as to be a through hole in addition to the concave shape opened outward in the longitudinal direction shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, and the stirring member 43 has a central axis L6 and the stirring member supported portion. The central axis L7 of 43a is made to coincide.

  Moreover, as shown to Fig.1 (a), the through-hole 21a is opened in the surface facing the stirring member 43 of the storage container 21. FIG. Here, the central axis L8 of the through hole 21a and the central axis L6 of the stirring member 43 coincide.

  The storage container 21 is provided with a through hole 21a extending in the longitudinal direction. The through-hole 21a is provided with a substantially circular (for example, cylindrical or annular) rib 21c extending from the storage container 21 so as to protrude outward in the longitudinal direction, and is configured to have a thickness in the longitudinal direction. In addition, in the present Example, it was set as the shape where the internal diameter of the outer side (rib 21c side) became large compared with the inner side part in the longitudinal direction among the through holes 21a.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 1B, the support pin 79 is inserted into the through hole 21 a of the storage container 21 so that the support pin 79 (stirring support member) engages with the stirring member supported portion 43 a of the stirring member 43. Press fit. Thereby, the support pin 79 can rotatably support the stirring member 43. When the stirring member supported portion 43a has a concave shape, it is preferable to provide a space between the inner wall of the longitudinal end portion in the stirring member supported portion 43a and one end of the support pin 79. . That is, it does not insert until the support pin 79 hits the inner wall of the longitudinal end in the stirring member supported portion 43a. Thereby, the stirring member 43 is supported by the support pin 79 so that it can rotate smoothly. In this embodiment, a substantially cylindrical pin extending in the longitudinal direction is used as the support pin 79 so that the stirring member 43 can be smoothly rotated.

  As shown in FIG. 1C, a sealing member (elastic member) is formed in a recess (space) 21b formed by the support pin end surface 79a facing the outside in the longitudinal direction in the through hole 21a and the inner wall of the through hole 21a. An elastic sealing member) 90 is formed. That is, the seal member 90 is formed inside the through hole 21a. As the seal member 90, for example, a hot melt resin, an elastomer, or the like can be used. By having elasticity as the seal member 90, it is possible to deform along the gaps between the parts and the uneven shape. The seal member 90 is preferably formed by filling (injecting) a large amount of resin so as to protrude from the recess 21b to the outside.

  Finally, as shown in FIGS. 1D and 5, the holder 80 (end member) is fixed to the storage container 21 on the further outer side in the longitudinal direction of the seal member 90 (on the opposite side to the storage container 21). That is, the stirring member supported portion 43a, the support pin 79, the seal member 90, and the holder 80 are provided in order from the inner side to the outer side in the longitudinal direction. At this time, when a large amount of resin is filled (injected) so that the resin to be the seal member 90 protrudes from the recess 21b to the outside, the resin to be the seal member 90 is pushed into the recess 21b to 80 is fixed to the storage container 21.

(effect)
With the above configuration, even when the filler leaks from between the support pin 79 and the storage container 21, it is possible to prevent the developer from leaking to the outside of the cartridge B. Here, in order to prevent the filler from leaking out between the support pin 79 and the storage container 21 and the developer from leaking to the outside of the cartridge B, an engaging portion that engages with the recess 21 b of the storage container 21 is a holder. It is also conceivable to adopt a configuration provided in 80. In this case, the engaging portion provided in the holder 80 engages with the concave portion 21b of the storage container 21 to prevent the developer from leaking out. Then, it will be positioned and assembled. However, the dimensional accuracy of the storage container 21, the stirring member 43, the support pin 79, and the holder 80 may vary. As a result, it has been difficult to adjust the relative position between the members to be assembled and to assemble at a predetermined position while more reliably suppressing the leakage of the developer. On the other hand, in this configuration, it is possible to more reliably suppress the leakage of the developer while giving the holder 80 and the storage container 21 an assembly position with a degree of freedom.

  Further, as a result of the stirring member 43 being driven, the through hole 21a of the storage container 21 is enlarged, the support pin 79 press-fitted into the storage container 21 is moved outward in the longitudinal direction, and the developer is transferred to the storage container 21 and the support pin. It is possible to leak to 79. In this case, in this configuration, the support pin 79 presses the seal member 90 against the holder 80, sandwiches the seal member 90 between the support pin 79 and the holder 80, and deforms the seal member 90 so as to be crushed. As a result, the seal member 90 is pressed in the radial direction of the support pin 79 and can be brought into close contact with the inner wall of the through hole 21 a extending in the longitudinal direction of the recess 21 b, and the developer leaks from between the storage container 21 and the holder 80. Can be suppressed.

  In this embodiment, at the time of assembly, the resin that becomes the sealing member 90 is formed so as to protrude outside from the recess 21b, and the holder 80 is fixed to the storage container 21 so that the resin that becomes the sealing member 90 is pushed into the recess 21b. . Thereby, the seal member 90 can be more closely attached to the inner wall of the through hole 21a extending in the longitudinal direction of the recess 21b in a state where the holder 80 is assembled to the storage container 21. As a result, the developer can be better prevented from leaking between the storage container 21 and the holder 80.

  As described above, in this embodiment, even when the developer inside the storage container 21 passes through the gap formed between the support pin 79 and the through hole 21a, the developer is removed from the developing unit 20, and from the cartridge B. It is possible to prevent leakage to the outside.

  Next, Embodiment 2 to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, configurations different from those in the first embodiment will be described, and members having similar configurations and functions are denoted by the same component names and reference numerals as those in the first embodiment, and description thereof will be omitted. The same applies to the following embodiments.

  In the present embodiment, the shape of the holder 80 that contacts (squeezes) the seal member 90 is different from that of the above-described embodiment. A detailed configuration will be described below. 6 is a partially enlarged view showing the periphery of the through hole 21a of the storage container 21 of FIG. FIGS. 6A to 6B show the assembly of parts in time series.

  As in the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1A, a stirring member 43 having a stirring member supported portion 43a provided on the longitudinal non-driving side end face is prepared. Also, a container 21 provided with a through hole 21a extending in the longitudinal direction is prepared. The through-hole 21a is provided with a substantially circular (for example, cylindrical or annular) rib 21c extending from the storage container 21 so as to protrude outward in the longitudinal direction, and is configured to have a thickness in the longitudinal direction. In addition, in the present Example, it was set as the shape where the internal diameter of the outer side (rib 21c side) became large compared with the inner side part in the longitudinal direction among the through holes 21a.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 1B, the support pin 79 is inserted into the through hole 21 a of the storage container 21 so that the support pin 79 (stirring support member) engages with the stirring member supported portion 43 a of the stirring member 43. Press fit. Thereby, the stirring member 43 is rotatably supported by the support pin 79.

  As shown in FIG. 6A, a seal member 90 made of an elastic material is formed in a recess (space) 21b formed by a support pin end surface 79a facing the outside in the longitudinal direction in the through hole 21a and the inner wall of the through hole 21a. Is formed. Here, in the present embodiment, a holder 80 having a convex portion 80a protruding toward the concave portion 21b is prepared. The convex portion 80a has a shape having an inclined surface inclined at an angle of less than 90 degrees with respect to the longitudinal direction. Specifically, in the present embodiment, the convex portion 80a has a conical shape.

  Finally, as shown in FIG. 6B, the holder 80 is assembled to the storage container 21 so that the convex portion 80a enters the concave portion 21b. Note that, as illustrated in FIG. 6B, in this embodiment, the convex portion 80 a is arranged so as to come into contact with the seal member 90.

(effect)
By having the above configuration. The same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained. Further, when the support pin 79 moves to the outside in the longitudinal direction, the seal member 90 is sandwiched between the support pin 79 and the holder 80, and the seal member 90 is moved in the radial direction of the support pin 79 by the inclined surface of the convex portion 80a. The seal member 90 is deformed so as to be pressed. Thereby, the seal member 90 can be more closely attached to the inner wall of the through hole 21a extending in the longitudinal direction of the recess 21b, and the developer can be prevented from leaking better from between the storage container 21 and the holder 80.

  Further, even when the amount of the seal member 90 is small, the convex portion 80a can bite into the seal member 90 and be deformed when the holder 80 is assembled, so that the developer can be sealed.

  Next, Embodiment 3 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 7 is a partially enlarged view showing the periphery of the through hole 21a of the storage container 21 of FIG. FIGS. 7A to 7D show the assembly of parts in time series. In the present embodiment, a configuration different from that of the first embodiment will be described, and members having similar configurations and functions are denoted by the same component names and reference numerals as those of the first embodiment, and description thereof will be omitted. The same applies to the following embodiments.

  In the present embodiment, the shape of the storage container 21 and the holder 80 that contacts (squeezes) the seal member 90 are different from those of the first embodiment. A detailed configuration will be described below.

  As shown in FIG. 7A, as the stirring member 43, a member provided with a stirring member supported portion 43a on the longitudinal non-driving side end face is prepared as in the first embodiment. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the storage container 21 has a through hole 21a on the surface facing the stirring member 43, but has a substantially circular shape extending from the storage container 21 so as to protrude outward in the longitudinal direction (for example, a cylinder or a circle). A ring having no rib 21c is prepared.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 7B, the support pin 79 is inserted into the through hole 21 a of the storage container 21 so that the support pin 79 (stirring support member) engages with the stirring member supported portion 43 a of the stirring member 43. Press fit. Thereby, the stirring member 43 is rotatably supported by the support pin 79.

  As shown in FIG. 7C, the resin that becomes the seal member 90 is formed on the support pin end surface 79a facing the outside in the longitudinal direction of the support pin 79 press-fitted into the through hole 21a of the storage container 21, that is, on the outside in the longitudinal direction. Provided. In this embodiment, as the holder 80 attached to the outer side of the seal member 90 in the longitudinal direction, a holder provided with a recess 80b on the side in contact with the seal member 90 is prepared.

  Finally, as shown in FIG. 7D, the recess 80 b is disposed outside the support pin 79 in the longitudinal direction so as to enclose the seal member 90, and the storage container 21 and the holder 80 are assembled.

  In this embodiment, the support pin 79 protrudes from the through hole 21a to the outside in the longitudinal direction of the storage container 21, and the recess 80b includes a part of the support pin 79 protruding from the storage container 21. . That is, the end portion of the support pin 79 protruding outward in the longitudinal direction from the storage container 21 bites into the seal member 90 so that the seal member 90 is crushed by the support pin end portion 79a and the concave portion 80b. A holder 80 was assembled to the holder. However, the configuration is not limited thereto, and the support pin end 79a may be positioned in the through hole 21a.

(effect)
With the above configuration, even when the filler leaks from between the support pin 79 and the storage container 21, it is possible to prevent the developer from leaking to the outside of the cartridge B.

  When the support pin 79 moves to the outside in the longitudinal direction, the seal member 90 is sandwiched between the support pin 79 and the holder 80, and the seal member 90 is deformed so as to be crushed. As a result, the space in the recess 21 b can be filled with the seal member 90, and the developer can be prevented from leaking from between the storage container 21 and the holder 80.

  In this embodiment, the support pin 79 protrudes from the through hole 21a to the outside in the longitudinal direction of the storage container 21. As a result, the seal member 90 is sandwiched between the support pin 79 and the holder 80 during assembly, and the seal member 90 is deformed so as to be crushed. As a result, the space in the recess 21 b can be filled with the seal member 90, and the developer can be better prevented from leaking from between the storage container 21 and the holder 80.

  Further, even when the seal member 90 is in a small amount, the end portion of the support pin 79 that protrudes outward in the longitudinal direction from the storage container 21 when the holder 80 is assembled can bite into the seal member 90 and be deformed. The developer can be sealed.

  As described above, in this embodiment, even when the developer inside the storage container 21 passes through the gap formed between the support pin 79 and the through hole 21a, the developer is removed from the developing unit 20, and from the cartridge B. It is possible to prevent leakage to the outside.

  It should be noted that the functions, materials, shapes, and relative arrangements of the components described in the above embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention to those unless otherwise specified. . In carrying out the present invention, the configurations and arrangements of the above embodiments may be appropriately selected and combined. In addition, in each of the above-described embodiments, the developer sealing configuration in the vicinity of the through hole 21a at the end of the stirring member 43 has been described. However, the present invention can be applied not only to the stirring member but also to other rotating bodies.

A image forming apparatus main body B cartridge P recording medium 4 paper feed tray 6 transfer guide 7 transfer roller 8 transport guide 9 fixing device 10 discharge roller pair 11 discharge tray 20 developing unit 21 storage container 21a through hole 21b recess 21c rib 23 developing container 32 Developing roller 34 Magnet roller 43 Agitating member 43a Developing agitating member supported portion 60 Cleaning unit 62 Drum 71 Cleaning frame 71a Removed developer accommodating portion 75 Binding member 77 Cleaning blade 79 Support pin 80 Holder 90 Sealing member

Claims (12)

In a developing device used in an image forming apparatus,
A storage container for storing the developer, the storage container having a through hole;
A stirring member stored in the storage container for stirring the developer;
A stirring member supported portion for supporting the stirring member provided at an end of the stirring member;
A stirring support member that supports the stirring member supported portion and is inserted into the through hole;
An elastic sealing member for sealing the developer disposed in the through hole;
An end member disposed in the storage container;
Have
The developing device, wherein the elastic sealing member is disposed between the agitation support member and the end member.   The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the elastic sealing member is disposed inside the through hole.   The developing device according to claim 2, wherein the storage container includes a rib extending so as to protrude in an axial direction of the stirring member.   The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the end member has a convex shape protruding toward the elastic sealing member.   The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the end member has a concave shape on a surface facing the elastic sealing member.   The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the elastic sealing member is a hot-melt resin. In a cartridge detachable from the image forming apparatus,
A storage container for storing the developer, the storage container having a through hole;
A developer carrier provided in the developer container and supplying a developer to the image carrier;
An agitation member for agitating the developer stored in the storage container and supplied to the developer carrier;
A stirring member supported portion for supporting the stirring member provided at an end of the stirring member;
A stirring support member that supports the stirring member supported portion and is inserted into the through hole;
An elastic sealing member for sealing the developer disposed in the through hole;
An end member disposed in the storage container;
Have
The cartridge, wherein the elastic sealing member is disposed between the stirring support member and the end member.   The cartridge according to claim 7, wherein the elastic sealing member is disposed inside the through hole.   The cartridge according to claim 8, wherein the storage container includes a rib extending so as to protrude in an axial direction of the stirring member.   The cartridge according to claim 7, wherein the end member has a convex shape protruding toward the elastic sealing member.   The cartridge according to claim 7, wherein the end member has a concave shape on a surface facing the elastic sealing member.   The cartridge according to claim 7, wherein the elastic sealing member is a hot-melt resin.

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